Article of furniture

ABSTRACT

An article of furniture of the swinging type including a base frame having head members at opposite ends between which a pair of U-shaped torsion suspending members extends to suspend a supporting unit adapted to receive one or more persons either in sitting or lying conditions. Various parts of the article of furniture are adjustable to adapt the same for use by children as well as adults. The legs of the U-shaped suspending members normally extend outwardly from each other at the outer ends thereof an appreciably greater distance than when said ends are pivotally connected to bearings in the head members of the base frame, whereby the suspending members are placed under compression type torsion to minimize and/or prevent appreciable longitudinal movement of the lower portions of the suspending members as well as the supporting unit connected thereto relative to the head members of the base frame.

Unite States atent 91 [111 3,761,969 Meade Oct. 2, 1973 1 1 ARTICLE OFFURNITURE [76] Inventor: James R. Meade, 51 Byberry Ave.,

Hatboro, Pa. 19040 [22] Filed: Mar. 10, 1972 [2]} Appl. No.: 233,416

[52] U.S. C1 5/108, 5/93 R, 297/429,

297/281 [51] Int. Cl. A47d 9/02, A47d 7/01 [58] Field of Search 5/104,108, 109; 248/376; 297/151, 153, 429; 272/86 [56] References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS 3,648,307 3/1972 Meade 5/108 2,089,184 8/1937Champion. 297/282 1,940,679 12/1933 Fleming 297/281 674,910 5/1901Dutton.... 297/281 X 2,638,966 5/1953 Wardlow.... 2 7/281 X 1,965,7857/1934 Vallone 297/281 X Primary ExaminerCasmir A. Nunberg Atlorney-C.Hercus Just [57] ABSTRACT An article of furniture of the swinging typeincluding a base frame having head members at opposite ends betweenwhich a pair of U-shaped torsion suspending members extends to suspend asupporting unit adapted to receive one or more persons either in sittingor lying conditions. Various parts of the article of furniture areadjustable to adapt the same for use by children as well as adults. Thelegs of the U-shaped suspending members normally extend outwardly fromeach other at the outer ends thereof an appreciably greater distancethan when said ends are pivotally connected to bearings in the headmembers of the base frame, whereby the sus pending members are placedunder compression type torsion to minimize and/or prevent appreciablelongitudinal movement of the lower portions of the suspending members aswell as the supporting unit connected thereto relative to the headmembers of the base frame.

26 Claims, 23 Drawing Figures PATENTEU 3.761 .969

SHEET 1 0F 3 134 INVENTOR.

FIG 6 JAMES R. MEADE ATT RNEY PATENTEUMIT 2m;

' sum 3 ur a FIG. 19

FIG. 20

INVENTOR. JAMES R. MEADE AT ORNEY ARTICLE or FURNITURE CROSS-REFERENCETO RELATED APPLICATION This application comprises various innovationsand improvements over applicants co-pending application Ser. No. 2,994,filed Jan. 15, I970, and now comprising Pat. No. 3,648,307, issued Mar.l4, I972.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Whereas applicants prior Pat. No. 3,648,307is directed to an article of furniture of the swinging type which isprincipally adapted to be used by children of various ages, it has nowbeen realized that certain of the basic features of said article offurniture are highly adapted to be used not only by children but also byadults. Accordingly, by providing adjustable features in variousportions and items of the structure, the same may be quickly adapted foruse either by children of different sizes or by adults, and this aspectof the structure comprises one of the principal features of the presentinvention. In addition, the torsion type suspension members employed insaid applicants prior patent is of the tension type. It now has beenfound that an equally if not more desirable arrangement is that in whichthe U-shaped torsion members are of the compression type and thisfeature comprises another important part of the present invention.

Concerning the prior art, articles of furniture of the swinging typehave been available for many years. Socalled gliders have been availablein which a base frame having vertical end members supports a couch orsettee-like object by a plurality of chains or long links. Devices ofthis type have no appreciable control over the direction of swinging ofthe couch or settee-like part of the structure. Further, these deviceshave not been power-operated for automatic swinging operations.

Certain types of swinging cradles also have been available in the past.For example, Pat. No. 2,557,907, to Cranfill, Jr., et al., dated June19, l95l, discloses a power driven-nursery cradle somewhat resembling aglider in base construction. Another patent of similar type comprisesNo. 2,860,727, to DePasqua, issued Nov. 18, 1958. This cradle also is ofthe glider type. Neither of the structures of these prior patents areadapted for either direct use or conversion to use by adults.

In order to make available an article of furniture of the swinging typewhich is adjustable and adaptable selectively to accommodate varioussizes of children as well as aducts, and also offer innovations andcertain improvements over the structure of applicants prior patent, thepresent invention has been devised and embodies the following objects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the principal object of the invention toprovide an article of furniture preferably of the swinging type whichincludes a base frame comprising a pair of head members extendingvertically at opposite ends thereof and supporting therebetween a pairof substantially U- shaped torsion suspending members of the compressiontype, the legs of said members terminating in horizontal extensionsdisposed within bearings mounted within the upper portions of said headmembers and secured thereto against accidental removal by a plurality ofdifferent embodiments of interengaging latching elements capable ofbeing operated quickly and also permitting release and disconnectionwithout requiring the use of tools.

It is another object of the invention to provide reinforcingarrangements in the head members of the base frame, particularly undercircumstances where the head members are formed from wood, suchreinforcing means not only strengthening the head members but alsoproviding appropriate means to provide bearings within which casters maybe disposed in the lower ends of the head members to permit selectivespacing of the head members and particularly the horizontal seat memberat different elevations with respect to a supporting surface such as afloor and thereby facilitate adaptation of the article of furniture foruse by persons of a wide range of heights.

Although the article of furniture is highly useful as a cradle forinfants and small children, in order to further adapt the use of saidarticle of furniture to a wide range of persons of different heights andsizes, including children and adults, it is a further object of theinvention to provide what is designated as the supporting unit with aback panel thtat is capable of being disposed at different transverselocations relative to the forward edge of the seat portion of saidsupporting unit and, correspondingly, at different heights relative tothe seat portion and thereby adjust said back panel to being engaged bythe back of a person seated in the supporting unit, regardless of size,at least within reasonable limits.

Ancillary to the foregoing object, it is an additional object to providethe supporting unit with a foot rest adapted to be positioned adjustablyat a plurality of dif ferent levels below that of the seat panel of thesupporting unit and thereby permit use of the foot rest by differentpersons of a relatively wide range of sizes.

Further, ancillary to the foregoing object, it is still another objectof the invention to provide said supporting unit with a horizontal traypanel which is adapted to be positioned at a plurality of differentlevels above the seat panel of the supporting unit in order thatinfants, children and even adults may use the tray panel either forpurposes of writing or drawing, or serving of food and beverages and thelike.

Details of the foregoing objects and of the invention as well as otherobjects thereof, are set forth in the f0l lowing specifications andillustrated in the accompanying drawings comprising a part thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of anarticle of furniture embodying the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary lower portion of one of the head members of thebase frame of the article of fumiture shown in FIG. 1 and illustratingin phantom an alternate height arrangement which is different from thatillustrated in full lines.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary edge view of one head member of the base frameof the article of furniture shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the fragmentary portion of the base frameshown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, enlarged, elevation of an alternate heightadjusting means from that shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially midway of thelength of the supporting unit of the article of furniture shown in FIG.1 and illustrating in full lines various positions of the back panel,tray panel and foot rest of the supporting unit and, in phantom, showing alternate adjusted positions thereof to illustrate the adaptabilityof the supporting unit to accommodate persons of different heights andsizes.

FIG. 7 is a front elevation of a U-shaped torsion sus pending membershowing the legs thereof in phantom disposed in the inoperative positionthereof and, in full lines, showing the legs disposed in compressedoperative position and supported thereon by head members of the baseframe in accordance with the principles of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary elevation of the upper end portion of one of thelegs of the U-shaped suspending member illustrated in FIG. 7 and showingone embodiment of construction thereof.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a portion of one ofthe head members of the base frame with the embodiment of the supportingmember shown in FIG. 8 mounted within a bearing in said head member.

FIG. is a view similar to FIG. 8 but showing a further embodiment ofupper end construction of one leg of the U-shaped suspending membershown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 9 but illustrating the embodiment ofsuspending member shown in FIG. positioned within a bearing in thesectionally illustrated head member of the base frame shown therein.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary elevation showing a latch member to secure oneembodiment of upper end portion of the U-shaped suspending member shownin FIG. 7 as seen on the line 12l2 of FIG. 13.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to FIGS. 9 and I1 andillustrating the embodiment of latch means shown in FIG. 12 inengagement with the embodiment of U-shaped suspending member engaged bysaid latch member.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 13 but showing afurther embodiment of one end of a U-shaped suspending member of thetype shown in FIG. 7 engaged by a still further embodiment of latchmeans, the end of the U-shaped suspending member shown in FIG. 14 beingat an opposite end of the member from that shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary elevation taken on a line 15l5 of FIG. 1d andshowing an elevational face view of the latch member shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 14 and illustrating a still furtherfragmentary embodiment of latch means in engagement with one of theupper end portions of the U-shaped suspending member of the type shownin FIG. 7.

FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. I5 but showing the latch memberembodiment shown in FIG. 16 as seen on the line 17-17 of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary elevation of an exemplary leg of the U-shapedsuspending member of the type shown in FIG. 7 and illustrating certainembodiments of supporting bearings associated with said leg.

FIGS. 19 and 20 respectively are fragmentary vertical elevationsillustrated on a larger scale than in the preceding figures and showingtwo different embodiments of positioning means on the ends of the U-shaped suspending member of the type shown in FIG. 7 in association withanti-friction bearings mounted in the vertical head members of the baseframe.

FIG. 21 is a foreshortened vertical elevation of additional supportingmeans attached to the supporting unit of the article of furniture shownin FIG. 1 and adapted to support a foot rest panel in several differentvertical positions.

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary end elevation of the righthand end of theadditional supporting means shown in FIG. 21 and illustrating in fulllines the foot rest panel in one operating position and, in phantom,showing said panel in a different, lower supporting position.

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary sectional plan view of the construction shownin FIG. 22 as seen on the line 23-23 thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 in particular, it willbe seen that the article of furniture embodying the principles of thepresent invention essentially comprises a substantially U-shaped baseframe 10 comprising vertical head or end members 12 and 14 which areconnected by a horizontal bottom or lower connecting member 16. Asupporting unit 18, which is of multi-use type, is swingably supportedby a pair of U-shaped tor sion suspending members 20 and 22 ofcompression type which are suspended in bearings, to be described,mounted in the upper portions of the head members 12 and 14 and fromwhich bearings the U-shaped suspending members depend. Various types oflatch means are illustrated for purposes of detachably connecting theupper ends of the legs of the U-shaped suspending members from thebearings therefor. Details of the various members and units of theoverall article of fumiture are as follows.

THE BASE FRAME The head members 12 and 14 may be suitably formed fromany appropriate material, such as wood, synthetic resin, metal orotherwise. In the particular illustration shown in detail in thedrawings of the application, wood has been selected as the exemplarymaterial but the same is not to be regarded as restrictive. When formedfrom wood, the head members 12 and 14 comprise outer, preferably solidpanels 24. In the various illustrations, especially where an individualhead member has been identified by reference character, it is to beunderstood that said structure equally applies to the opposite headmember so as to minimize the use of reference numerals.

The end panels 24 may be formed either from solid or laminated wood andparticularly the outer surfaces thereof are adapted to be appropriatelyfinished to resemble an attractive article of furniture. With referenceto FIG. 4 which pertains to head member 14 specifically, in view of theillustration being related to that shown in FIG. 7, the end panel 24 ofeach head member is appropriately reinforced by edge strips 26 which areof suitable width and, for example, may be similar in thickness to thatof the end panels 24. Extending across the upper ends of the edge strips26 is a horizontal top strip 28 which may be of similar dimensions tothe edge strips 26. The end panels 24 and reinforced strips 26 and 28are securely connected together by appropriate adhesives or othertechniques commonly employed in the furniture manufacturing industry.The top strip 28 also supports a pair of bearings 30 and in view of thelocation thereof, it will be seen that adequate support therefor isprovided by the composite head members 12 and 14 and, specifically, thelocation of the bearings adjacent the upper ends of the edge strips 26.

The added thickness afforded the end panels 24 by means of edge strips26 is utilized to drill suitable vertical sockets 32 into the lowermostedge portions of the head members 12 and 14 for purposes of receivingthe stems of suitable casters 34, as shown in full lines in FIG. 2. Inaddition however, for purposes of regulating the height of thesupporting unit 18 above a supporting surface such as a floor, thecasters 34 may be mounted in additional sockets 36 which are drilledinto the lower edge of each of the head members 12 at an elevationhigher than the lower ends of the edge strips 26 for example, as clearlyshown in FIG. 2. For purposes of providing adequate thickness to supportthe casters in the auxilliary sockets 36, an additional reinforcingpanel 38 is firmly affixed to the end panels 24 on the inner surfacesthereof. The panels 38 preferably are of similar thickness to the edgestrips 26 for example. The difference in elevation between the alternatepositions for the casters 34, as shown in FIG. 2, may be of the order of2 or 3 inches. It also is feasible to achieve height adjustment for thepanels 12 and 14 by utilizing the casters 40 shown in FIG. 5 forexample, which may be of substantially largerdiameter than the casters34 shown in FIG. 2. Accordingly, a wide range of vertical adjustment ismade possible by the above-described mechanisms and arrangements.

The head members 12 and 14 are firmly secured in vertical position andparallel to each other by means of the bottom connecting member 16 whichmay be formed from wood, if desired, but preferably from metal. Anysuitable means, such as flanges, screws, bolts or otherwise, not shown,may be employed to effect such firm connection of the bottom connectingmember 16 to said end members. In addition to serving to secure andspace the end members in operative position, the bottom connectingmember 16 also serves as a housing for the motor 42 which is illustratedin phantom in FIGS. 3 and 4 in exemplary manner. For details of themotor, attention is directed to applicants Pat. No. 3,648,307 referredto above. Said motor may be of the spring type, for example, operated bya crank 34. The motor also may operate an oscillating actuating bar 46,shown in phantom in FIG. 4, the same preferably being located adjacentthe inner surface of the head member 14, for example, as shown inexemplary manner in FIG. 3, for purposes of engaging a pin, not shown,on one end of the supporting unit 18, for example.

Referring particularly to FIG. 7 and also the additional FIGS. 8 through20, details of the U-shaped torsion suspending members 20 and 22 areillustrated. Said suspending members comprise a substantially horizontallower portion 48 and a pair of similar legs 50 and 52. The upper ends ofthe legs 50 and 52 terminate in substantially horizontal pivotextensions 54, which respectively are received within the inner races ofthe anti-friction bearings 30, specifically as shown in various figureson sheet 2 of the drawings and, specifically, FIG. 7. It also will beseen from the various figures and specifically FIGS. 9, l1, l3, l4 and16 that the antifriction bearings 30 are disposed within appropriatesockets provided in the inner surface of the top strips 28 of the headmembers 12 and 14. Obviously, the bearings are disposed within thesockets prior to the strips 28 being secured to the end panels 24 ofeach of the head members. Also, the top strips 28 are provided withsuitable openings coaxial with the bearings for purposes of receivingthe horizontal pivot extensions 54 on the legs of the U-shapedsuspending members 20 and 22.

Referring to FIG. 7, it will be seen that the exemplary U-shaped torsionsuspending member is identified by the two reference numerals 20 and 22in view of the fact that in side elevation, they overlie each other. Forpurposes of brevity, only the suspending member 20 is referred to in thefollowing description. The normal inoperative position of the U shapedsuspending member is as illustrated in phantom in FIG. 7. In thisposition, it will be seen that the legs 50 and 52 thereof are disposedat an obtuse angle greater than to the horizontal lower portion 48 ofthe suspending member. Said members are formed from appropriate metalsuch as steel and are suitably resilient. Rods of a 5/16 inch diameterhave been found to be highly adequate for practical use to support bodyloads of as much as 500 pounds without serious deflection. When themembers 20 and 22 are mounted in operative position between the headmembers 12 and 14 however, the upper ends of the legs 50 and 52 aremoved toward each other adequate amounts to enable the pivot extensions54 to be disposed within the bearings 30. When released, the legs 50 and52 preferably are substantially parallel to each other and vertical whenin normal operative position, such as when the article of furniture issupported upon a horizontal floor surface 56 or the like. Also, when independing, operative position, the legs at the opposite ends of theU-shaped suspending members 20 and 22 are substantially parallel to eachother when viewed from one end of the base frame 10 for example. In viewof this, swinging movement of the supporting unit 18 will always beunder conditions where the unit is substantially parallel to thesupporting surface 56 for example.

After the suspending members 20 and 22 have been mounted in operativeposition within the bearings 30 in the head members 12 and 14, theflexing of the legs 50 and 52 thereof substantially into the operative,parallel relationship of the same to each other results in forming acompression type torsion within the rods which comprise the suspendingmembers and this very adequately serves the purpose of minimizing if notnormally substantially preventing any longitudinal, horizontal movementof the lower portions 48 of the rods relative to the base frame 10. Inthis respect, the torsion rods of the present invention differ fromthose comprising part of the subject matter of applicant'saforementioned Pat. No. 3,648,307. In addition, the assembly of suchcompression type torsion suspending members is easier than the tensiontype of said prior patent. This feature also permits the utilization ofa number of different embodiments of latching means for the pivotextensions 54 of the U-shaped suspending members 20 and 22, as describedin detail hereinafter.

PIVOT AND LATCHING MECHANISMS Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, one embodimentof means to connect the pivot extensions 54 to the bearings 30 comprisesforming a section 58 of reduced diameter whereby, as shown in FIG. 9,when the extension 54 is disposed within the inner race of the bearing30, the inner race will be disposed within part of the reduced section58. Also, to prevent excess movement of the extension 54 into the innerrace of the bearing, an enlargement 60 may be formed on the extension 54adjacent the reduced section for purposes of abutting the face of theinner race and thereby restrict further movement axially. By slightlyraising the pivot extension 54 relative to the inner race, it will bedisposed coaxially with said race and thereby permit withdrawal of theextension from the bearing.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. and ll, the

pivot extension 54 may be provided with an enlargement 62, whichactually comprises a stop which functions similarly to the enlargement60 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, but it will be seen fromFIGS. 10 and 11 that the pivot extension 54 is of the same diameter asthe leg 50. In FIG. II it will be seen that a recess 64 is formed withinthe end panel 24 to receive a so-called speed nut 66 of well-knownfriction type which operates in the manner of a one-way clutch whichfrictionally engages the terminal end of the pivot extension 54 andsecures the same against ready withdrawal from the bearing 30 exceptwhen abnormal force is applied. Several embodiments of movable latchtype connecting means are illustrated respectively in FIGS. 12 and 13and in FIGS. 14 and 15 as'follows. In FIGS. 12 and 13, it will be seenthat the top strip 28, for example, is provided with a shallow recess 68on its inner surface, for purposes of receiving a flat, slideable latchmember 70 which, if desired, may have a suitable guide slot formedtherein to receive a guide pin 72 to limit the vertical movement of thelatch 70. In this embodiment the terminal end of the pivot extension 54is provided with a hook-like, cam-surfaced retainer 74 which is shown inside elevation in FIG. 13. The cam surface on the end of the retainer 74will operate to elevate the gravity-operated latch member 70 from itslower position, when inserting the pivot extension 54 within the bearing30. After the cam surface of the retainer has passed beyond the latchhowever, the latch then may drop behind the cam-surfaced portion of theretainer, as shown in both FIGS. 12 and 13, and thereby preventwithdrawal of the pivot extension from the bearing. However, ifwithdrawal is desired, it is only necessary to invert, for example, orotherwise move the base frame 10 from its normal, upright operativeposition, sufi'iciently to enable gravity to cause the latch to moveaway from the retainer 74 and thereby free the same from latchingcontact by the latch 70.

In FIGS. 14 and 15, another embodiment of gravityoperated latch means isillustrated in the form of a conventional washer disc 76 which, forexample, has an opening of suitable diameter to pass the retainer 78therefrom which is similar in shape and function to the retainer 74 ofthe embodiment shown in FIG. 13. The latch member 76 is disposed withina somewhat ovalshaped shallow recess 80. The cam surface on the retainer78, upon inserting the pivot extension 54 into the bearing 30, willraise the circular latch member 76 to the phantom position thereof shownin FIG. 15 for example, until the retainer is fully passed through theopening in the circular latch member 76 and then the latter will dropbehind the retainer hook portion to secure the pivot extension 54against removal. However, as in regard to the preceding embodiment, thebase frame 10 may be moved substantially from its normal uprightposition, such as by approximately inverting the same and gravity thenwill operate to move the latch member 76 from its latching position toan elevated position in which the pivot extension 54 may be withdrawnfrom the bearing 30.

In FIGS. 16 and 17, a stationary type of latch member is illustratedwhich comprises a segment member 82 which is mounted within a suitableshallow recess 84 and made stationary therein by any suitable means suchas appropriate screws 86 or the like. The member 82 has a detent 88formed thereon which is positioned to be received with a reduced portion90 formed near the terminal end of the pivot extension 5s. From FIG. 16it will be seen that the actual terminal end 92 of the pivot extension54 will encounter'the detent 88 if withdrawal of the same from thebearing 30 is attempted, if the legs 52 are in normal, dependingposition. However, the clearance 94 on the reduced portion 90 of thepivot extension 54 will, if moved so as to be disposed uppermost, permitwithdrawal of the pivot extension 54 from the bearing 30. This may bedone such as when the suspending members 20 and 22 are movedsubstantially to a position where the horizontal lower portion 48thereof is more or less overhead with respect to the base frame 10.

In the various foregoing latch mechanisms illustrated and described withrespect to FIGS. 12 17, it is to be understood that the pivot extensions54 preferably are provided with projections or enlargements 96 whichabut the outermost faces of the bearings 30 and limitinsertion'rnovement of the extensions 54 into said bearings. Also, itwill be seen that the panel members 24 are provided with appropriaterecesses within which the actual terminal ends of the various pivotextensions 54 are disposed. Moreover, and importantly, all of thelatching and supporting mechanisms are concealed within the interior ofthe composite upper portions of the head members 12 and 14 as a resultof the various recesses adjacent the bearings 30. Accordingly,particularly when the articles of furniture are arranged for use byyoung children, the pivot means for the U- shaped suspending membersdefy tampering by the oc cupants, whereby the furniture is safe to useand at least disconnection of the suspending members from the base frameis normally not possible to be achieved by such occupants.

Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, if it is desired to utilize relativelysimple means to connect the pivot extensions 54 to the bearings 30, thismay easily be accomplished by either providing a terminal end 98 ofreduced diameter for reception within the interrace of the bearing 39,as shown in FIG. 19 or, referring to FIG. 20, the pivot extension 54 maybe of the same diameter at its terminal end as in other portions and anappropriate projection 100 may be formed therein by suitably slightlyupsetting the metal in order that the projection 100 will restrict themovement of the pivot extensions 54 into the interrace of the bearing30.

ADJUSTABLE TYPE SUPPORTING UNIT Attention is directed to FIGS. 1 and 6in which the details of the preferred embodiment of supporting unit 18are illustrated. In FIG. I, it will be seen that as arranged, thesupporting unit 18 is adapted to be used as a cradle due to theprovision of an appropriate back panel 102 and a so-called front panelEdd. The unit 18 also includes a horizontal panel 106 which serveseither as a seat surface or as a part of a crib, depending upon the typeof individual occupying the same. The unit 18 also includes similar,parallel end members 108. These end members, as well as the horizontalpanel 106 and the back and front panels 102 and 104, may be formed fromwood, synthetic resin, metal or other appropriate materials, asexplained above with respect to the base frame 10. All of the elementsof the unit 18 may be attractively finished to resemble fine furnitureand especially as viewed from FIG. 6, it will be seen that the endmembers 108 may be attractively contoured and finished with decorativemotifs.

The end members 108 also are of sufficient thickness to permit theincusion of a series of preferably parallel slots 110-112-114-116. InFIG. 6 in particular, it will be seen that the lower ends of the slotsare disposed at progressively greater distances from the seat panel 106,for example, as said slots are disposed at progressively greaterdistances from the front or forward edge 118 of the seat panel 106. Inaddition, it will be seen that the end members 108 are provided adjacentthe forward upright edges with additional somewhat vertical slots 120which are parallel to the forward edges. It will be understood that theslots referred to above are all formed on the inner surfaces of themembers 108 and therefore face each other at opposite ends of the unit18.

The end members 108 also are formed with a pair of additionalsubstantially horizontal slots 122 and 124 which are vertically spacedapart and, in addition, rows of shallow holes 126 are formed in saidinner faces of the end members 108, for purposes to be described.

The portion of the supporting unit 18 which includes the horizontalpanel 106 and the end members 108 is separable from the lower,substantially U-shaped additional supporting frame 128 shown in FIG. 6.Said additional supporting frame 128 comprises horizontal members 130and depending members 132 extending downwardly from opposite endsthereof. To a large extent, the additional supporting frame 128 issimilar to a corresponding frame in applicants aforementioned Pat. No.3,648,307, but the present invention includes certain additionaladjustable features not included in said prior patented structure,details of which are described hereinafter. In regard to the mechanismby which the upper portion of the unit 18 is connected to the additionalsupporting frame 128 however, attention is directed to certainconnecting details therefor which are described or claimed in said priorpatent. It is to be understood that the horizontal members 130 anddepending members 132 are connected together and a plurality of theseare arranged longitudinally along the additional supporting frame 128and particularly at the ends thereof for purposes of the dependingmembers having recesses 134 formed in the lower ends thereof andespecially at the opposite ends of the additional supporting frame 128,for purposes to be described.

In view of the separable nature of the upper portion of the unit 18 fromthe additional supporting frame 128 which is connectable to the lowersurface of the hori' zontal seat panel 106 of the unit 18, said upperportion may be used either as a car bed, either when connected to thesupporting frame 128 or separated therefrom. Also, when the unit 18 andthe supporting frame 128 are connected but are not supported by thesuspending members 20, the assembled unit may be used as a child's seator, if the front panel 104 is removed, the unit may be used as a settee.Further details of such uses are set forth in said aforementioned patentof the applicant and to which attention is directed.

In accordance with the present invention, the primary improvedcharacteristics of the supporting unit 18 comprise its adaptability toaccommodate a substantially wide range of sizes of people andparticularly the heights thereof in regard to using the entire articleof furniture for a number of different uses, some of which are typicallycharacteristics of infants and small children, while others arecharacteristic of older children and adults. These advantages arederived from the fact that the base frame 10, for example, is adapted tobe disposed at a range of different heights with respect to a supportingsurface such as the floor 56, whereby the unit 18, especially when usedfor adult purposes, may serve as a settee and comfortably accommodate,for example, a child, a teenager or adult such as by arranging anauxiliary back panel 103, selectively, in an opposing pair of the slots110, 112 114 or 116, so that the proper depth of seating surface on thepanel 106 may be occupied while, at the same time, the elevation of theback panel 103 will be such as to engage the back of the seated personat a comfortable location.

In addition to the positioning of the back panel 103 in accordance withthe foregoing description, the slots 122-124 in the opposing surfaces ofthe end members 108 may be used to position a tray panel 136 at the mostcomfortable level for the size of the person seated upon the surface106. By way of example, if an infant or young child is seated in thesupporting unit 18, the preferred location of the auxiliary back panel103 would probably be within the slots 110, while the most suitablelocation for the tray panel 136 would be in the pair of lower horizontalslots 124. Further, the opposite ends of the tray panel 136 are providedwith latch units 138, see FIG. 6, such as slide bolts which are securedto the lower surfaces of the tray panel 136 at opposite ends thereof andthe bolts thereof respectively are slideable into a selected pair of theholes 126 in the end members 108. It will be understood that during theuse of the unit 108 for seating purposes, the front panel 104 will beremoved from the slots 120 provided therefor. It is also to beunderstood that the permanent back panel 102 is always permanently fixedalong the rear portion of the unit 18, by connection to the parallel endmembers 108 to brace them, such as shown in FIG. 1. Only auxiliary backpanel 103 is adjustably positionable in the slots 116 in the mannerdescribed above.

Further to improve the comfort of using the supporting unit 18 forexample, as well as the article of fumiture of which it comprises animportant part, the depending members 132 nearest the front edge 118 ofthe seat panel 106 are provided with additional supporting means 140,which is shown in FIGS. 1 and 6. Said means preferably comprise aplurality of slats 142 which are secured at the ends thereof to thedepending members 132 as best shown in FIG. 21. Suitable screws or nailsmay be used for such purpose. In addition, the inner surfaces of thedepending members 132 are provided with transversely extending slots144, best shown in FIG. 21, which cooperate with the longitudinal slots146 which are of even width and provided by the edges of the slats 142.

The slots 146 are of a width substantially equal to the thickness of afoot rest panel 148 which is coextensive in length with the supportingmeans 140. The opposite rear corners 150 of the foot rest panel 148 arecut out to receive portions of the depending members 132, as best shownin FIG. 23, and thereby serve to provide positioning means which limitthe insertion of the inner edge of the foot rest panel 148 within one ofthe slots 146, depending upon the height desired for the foot rest panelrelative to the horizontal seat panel 196. To detachably secure the footrest panel in one of the alternate positions provided therefor, as shownin FIG. 23, a so-calied bullet-type latch button 152, which isspring-pressed outwardly, relative to the opposite ends of the foot restpanel 148, is adapted to snap outwardly beyond the rearward surfaces ofthe depending members 132 as shown in FIG. 23 for purposes of preventingaccidental disconnection of the panel 148 from its supporting means. Itis to be noted that the transverse slots 144, as well as the relativelyclose fit of the foot rest panel 148 within the slots 1 86 providerelatively firm support for the foot rest panel 148 when disposed ineither of the slots [46. Panel 348 also may be placed in slots 120,above tray panel 136, as a guard for infant self-feeding and play.

The lower horizontal portions 48 of the suspending members and 22,adjacent opposite ends thereof and in close proximity to the legs 50 and52 thereof, are provided with appropriate annular bearings 154 whichrespectively are received in the recesses 134 provided in the lower endsof the depending members 132 of the additional supporting frame 128.Gravity is adequate to maintain the bearings positioned within therecesses 134. Particularly for purposes of retaining the bearings withinsaid recesses, attention is directed to FIG. 18 in which it will be seenthat the bearings 154 are annular and also are provided with an exteriorshoulder 156 which abuts the outer surfaces of the depending members 132for example, fragmentarily illustrated in FIG. 18, and the bearing 154also is provided with an internal shoulder 158 against which a suitableenlargement 160 is adapted to abut for purposes of positioning thebearing 154 against longitudinal movement relative to the horizontallower portion 48 of the suspending members 20 and 22.

If desired, the horizontal pivot extensions 54 in the upper ends of thelegs 50 and 52 also may have an enlargement 162 formed thereon forengagement with an internal shoulder 16! formed within a bushing-typebearing 166 in order to force anexterior shoulder 168 on said bearingagainst the inner face of the head members 12 and 14. The bushing-typebearings 166 will be maintained in the operative position illustrated inFIG. 18 by virtue of the compression-type torsion forces exerted by thelegs 50 and 52 of the supporting members 20 and 22 relative to thehorizontal lower portions 148 of said members. If desired, the bearings154 and 166 may be suitably formed from appropriate plastics andespecially those of the self-lubricating type such as sold under thetrademarks, DELRIN, and TEFLON. However, if desired, they may be formedfrom suitable bearing-type material of any appropriate composition.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention providesan article of furniture offering substantially improved characteristicsand features over those afforded by the basic structure of applicantsprior Pat. No. 3,648,307 and particularly in regard to providingfurniture which may be utilized by a wide range of ages and sizes ofpersons, extending from infants to grown adults in order to furnishenjoyment and comfort while being utilized for a substantial number ofdifferent purposes. Adjustment to adapt the article of furniture to suchdifferent sizes of persons is easily and readily accomplished withoutthe use of tools and without exertion of any special physical forces.The material intended to be used in manufacturing the same is such thatthe furniture is long-lasting and can be made highly attractive inappearance. When, for example, the tray panel 136 is not desired to beused, it readily may be stored within suitable recesses 170 formed inthe upper surfaces of the horizontal members of the additionalsupporting frame 128 as best shown in FIG. 6. Further, appropriate,angularly related pins 172 and 174 are fixed to the horizontal members130 adjacent opposite ends of the additional supporting frame 128 forreception within complementary holes formed in the lower edges of theopposite ends of the supporting unit 18. For practical purposes, gravityis adequate to maintain the unit 18 in operative relationship with theadditional supporting frame 128.

While the invention has been described and illustrated in its severalpreferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is notto be limited to the precise details herein illustrated and describedsince the same can be carried out in other ways falling within the scopeof the invention as illustrated and described.

I claim:

1. An article of furniture of the swinging type comprising incombination, a base frame comprising a pair of head members normallyvertical when in use and substantially parallel to each other in fixedrelationship and spaced apart a predetermined distance by a connectingmember affixed at its ends respectively to said head members adjacentthe lower portions thereof, a supporting unit positioned between saidhead members and adapted to receive and support a human body, a pair ofsimilar substantially U-shaped torsion suspending members extendingbetween said head members and the ends of the legs of said members beingpivotally connected to said head members adjacent the upper ends thereofrespectively adjacent the opposite vertical edges thereof, the upperends of said legs of said members when not connected to said headmembers extending away from each other a greater distance when notconnected to said head members than when they are connected thereto,whereby said torsion members are under compressive tension load whensupported in operative position between said head members to resistmovement of the horizontal lower portions of the torsion memberslongitudinally of themselves, and means connecting said supporting unitto said horizontal lower portions of said torsion members between thelegs thereof for swinging support by said members.

2. The article of furniture according to claim 1 in which said headmembers include reinforced vertical edge means adapted to support pivotson said ends of said legs of said U-shaped torsion suspending members.

3. The article of furniture according to claim 2 in which said headmembers additionally include a horizontal reinforcing member extendingbetween the upper ends of said reinforced vertical edge means.

4. The article of furniture according to claim 3 in which saidhorizontal reinforcing member in each head member is provided withbearings to receive the pivots of said U-shaped torsion suspendingmembers.

5. The article of furniture according to claim 3 in which said headmembers are formed from wood and each comprises a panel providing anouter surface for each head member and said reinforcing means comprisingstrips of reinforcing material attached to the inner surfaces of saidpanels.

6. The article of furniture according to claim 1 in which said headmembers additionally include bearings and said legs of said U-shapedtorsion suspending members having substantially horizontal pivotextensions on the upper ends of said legs for reception within saidbearings in said head members, and said pivot extensions and bearingsincluding co-engaging means operable to prevent accidental separation ofsaid pivot extensions from said bearings and comprising recesses formedin said pivot extensions and detent-type locks adjacent said bearingsand received in said recesses.

7. The article of furniture according to claim 6 in which said detenttype locks comprise movable members maintained by gravity in saidrecesses when disposed in operative position to latch said pivotextensions against removal from said bearings.

8. The article of furniture according to claim 6 in which saidco-engaging means are concealed within recesses formed in said headmembers.

9. The article of furniture according to claim 6 in which said detenttype locks are disposed by gravity within said recesses when saidarticle of furniture is disposed in normal upright operative position inwhich said torsion members substantially depend from said bearings insaid head members, and said detents being disengageable from saidrecesses when said head members are moved substantially to invertedposition from the normal upright position thereof.

10. The article of furniture according to claim 6 in which said bearingscomprise anti-friction bearings mounted in said head members andsupporting said pivot extensions on said legs of said suspending membersand said co-engaging means being positioned on the interior of said headmembers rearwardly of said bearings therein.

11. The article of furniture according to claim 6 in vwhich saidbearings are of the anti-friction type and are mounted within said headmembers, said bearings receiving said horizontal pivot extensions on theupper ends of said torsion suspending members, and said pivot extensionsincluding stop means engageable with said bearings for each pivotextension and adapted to limit movement of said pivot extensions intosaid bearings.

12. The article of furniture according to claim 11 further includingfriction nuts mounted on the terminal ends of said pivot extensions anddisposed inwardly of said bearings within the interior of said headmembers.

13. The article of furniture according to claim 1 in which thehorizontal lower portions of said U-shaped torsion suspending membersare provided with stop means adjacent the opposite ends of said lowerportions, and bearings also being provided upon said lower portionsadjacent said stop means, and said supporting unit having meansdepending therefrom adjacent opposite ends thereof and said means beingprovided with recesses adapted to receive said bearings mounted uponsaid lower portions of said torsion members, said stop means beingoperable to prevent any appreciable movement of said supporting unitlongitudinally along said lower portions of said torsion members.

14. The article of furniture according to claim 13 in which said bearingmembers are annular and are provided with recesses adapted to at leastpartially receive said stop means, said bearing members also beingprovided with shoulders adapted to abut portions of the recesses in saiddepending means of said supporting unit and thereby secure said bearingmembers in operative position with respect to said stop means.

15. The article of furniture according to claim 1 in which said headmembers are each provided with a plurality of different levels on thelower ends thereof adjacent the opposite sides of said head members,said different levels respectively being provided with means to receivecasters selectively and thereby vary the height of said supporting unitabove a supporting surface.

16. An article of furniture comprising a base frame having vertical endmembers connected to the ends of a horizontal connecting member, asupporting unit having a horizontal seat to receive and support aperson, torsion type supporting members pivotally connected to said endmembers and said supporting unit to suspend said supporting unit fromsaid end members for transverse horizontal movement relative to saidbase frame, means to support said base frame at different adjustablevertical levels relative to a supporting surface, additional supportingmeans interconnected to said horizontal seat below the level thereof andadjacent the forward edge thereof, and a foot rest engageable with saidsupport means selectively at a plurality of different levels accordingto the level at which said base frame is supported upon a supportingsurface and thereby accommodate said article of furniture to persons ofa range of different heights and sizes.

17. The article of furniture according to claim 16 in which said footrest comprises a panel extending outwardly from said additionalsupporting means and said additional supporting means having a pluralityof slots at different levels adapted selectively to receive one edge ofsaid foot rest panel.

18. The article of furniture according to claim 16 further includingvertical end members connected to opposite ends of said seat panel, anda back panel adapted to be positioned generally vertically andselectively at a plurality of different distances from said forward edgeof said seat panel and at different positions spaced vertically abovesaid seat, said greater vertical spacing being in accordance with theback panel being positioned greater distances from said forward edge ofsaid seat.

19. The article of furniture according to claim 18 in which saidvertical end members on said seat each have a pattern of a similarplurality ofsubstantially vertical slots respectively disposed at spacedintervals extending inwardly from one side edge of said end members andthe lower ends of said slots being spaced progressively greaterdistances above said seat in the slots farthest from said one edge ofsaid seat to accommodate said back panel comfortably to persons ofdifferent sizes.

20. The article of furniture according to claim 18 further including aplurality of parallel horizontal slots in said vertical end members atdifferent levels above said seat panel, and a tray panel adjustablypositionable in said slots to dispose the same adjustably above saidseat.

21. An article of furniture of the swinging type comprising incombination, a base frame comprising a pair of head members extendingvertically upward from a horizontal connecting member to maintain thesame firmly in spaced parallel relationship, a pair of similarsubstantially U shaped suspension members pivotally connected at theends of the legs thereof to the upper portions of said head membersadjacent opposite edges thereof and having horizontal terminalextensions thereon, bearings in said head members receiving saidhorizontal terminal extensions and said suspension members dependingfrom said bearings, interengaging latching members on said terminalextensions and bearings operable when said article of furniture is innormal upright operating position to prevent removal of said extensionsfrom said bearings but said latching members being disengageable whensaid article of furniture is moved substantially from said normalupright position, and a body supporting unit mounted upon the lowerhorizontal portions of said suspension members.

22. The article of furniture according to claim 21 in which at least oneof the interengaging latching members on each extension and bearingcomprises a slidable latch element normally manitained in operativeposition by gravity.

23. The article of furniture according to claim 21 in which saidinterengaging latching members comprise notches formed in saidhorizontal extensions on the legs of said suspension members and latchmembers slidable by gravity between unlatched positions for engagementwith walls of said notches.

24. The article of furniture according to claim 23 in which the ends ofsaid horizontal terminal extensions have cam surfaces engageable withsaid latch members when disposing said extensions within the bearings insaid head members and thereby remove said latch members to unlatchedposition followed by said latching members moving by gravity to latchedposition to secure said extensions operatively within said bearingsv 25.The article of furniture according to claim 22 in which said terminalextensions have cam surfaces thereon operable to engage said latchingmembers during the positioning movements of said extensions within saidbearings and thereby cammingly move said latching members tounobstructing positions until said extensions have been operativelyreceived within said bearings, whereupon gravity effects movement ofsaid latching members into operative latching positions relative to saidextensions.

26. The article of furniture according to claim 1 in which saidhorizontal lower portions of said torsion members adjacent the oppositeends thereof are provided with bearings adapted to engage means on thelower portions of said supporting unit, positioning means on said lowerportions of said torsion members engaging said bearings and preventingmovement thereof toward each other, upper bearings carried by the upperportion of said head members to receive said ends of said legs of saidU-shaped torsion suspension members, and means on said ends of said legsabutting said upper bearings and urging the same inwardly relative tosaid head members, whereby the torsion forces in said legs of saidtorsion members urge said bearings in said head members in oppositeaxial directions relative to said bearings on said lower portions ofsaid torsion members.

1. An article of furniture of the swinging type comprising incombination, a base frame comprising a pair of head members normallyvertical when in use and substantially parallel to each other in fixedrelationship and spaced apart a predetermined distance by a connectingmember affixed at its ends respectively to said head members adjacentthe lower portions thereof, a supporting unit positioned between saidhead members and adapted to receive and support a human body, a pair ofsimilar substantially U-shaped torsion suspending members extendingbetween said head members and the ends of the legs of said members beingpivotally connected to said head members adjacent the upper ends thereofrespectively adjacent the opposite vertical edges thereof, the upperends of said legs of said members when not connected to said headmembers extending away from each other a greater distance when notconnected to said head members than when they are connected thereto,whereby said torsion members are under compressive tension load whensupported in operative position between said head members to resistmovement of the horizontal lower portions of the torsion memberslongitudinally of themselves, and means connecting said supporting unitto said horizontal lower portions of said torsion members between thelegs thereof for swinging support by said members.
 2. The article offurniture according to claim 1 in which said head members includereinforced vertical edge means adapted to support pivots on said ends ofsaid legs of said U-shaped torsion suspending members.
 3. The article offurniture according to claim 2 in which said head members additionallyinclude a horizontal reinforcing member extending between the upper endsof said reinforced vertical edge means.
 4. The article of furnitureaccording to claim 3 in which said horizontal reinforcing member in eachhead member is provided with bearings to receive the pivots of saidU-shaped torsion suspending members.
 5. The article of furnitureaccording to claim 3 in which said head members are formed from wood andeach comprises a panel providing an outer surface for each head memberand said reinforcing means comprising strips of reinforcing materialattached to the inner surfaces of said panels.
 6. The article offurniture according to claim 1 in which said head members additionallyinclude bearings and said legs of said U-shaped torsion suspendingmembers having substantially horizontal pivot extensions on the upperends of said legs for reception within said bearings in said headmembers, and said pivot extensions and bearings including co-engagingmeans operable to prevent accidental separation of said pivot extensionsfrom said bearings and comprising recesses formed in said pivotextensions and detent-type locks adjacent said bearings and received insaid recesses.
 7. The article of furniture according to claim 6 in whichsaid detent type locks comprise movable members maintained by gravity insaid recesses when disposed in operative position to latch said pivotextensions against removal from said bearings.
 8. The article offurniture according to claim 6 In which said co-engaging means areconcealed within recesses formed in said head members.
 9. The article offurniture according to claim 6 in which said detent type locks aredisposed by gravity within said recesses when said article of furnitureis disposed in normal upright operative position in which said torsionmembers substantially depend from said bearings in said head members,and said detents being disengageable from said recesses when said headmembers are moved substantially to inverted position from the normalupright position thereof.
 10. The article of furniture according toclaim 6 in which said bearings comprise anti-friction bearings mountedin said head members and supporting said pivot extensions on said legsof said suspending members and said co-engaging means being positionedon the interior of said head members rearwardly of said bearingstherein.
 11. The article of furniture according to claim 6 in which saidbearings are of the anti-friction type and are mounted within said headmembers, said bearings receiving said horizontal pivot extensions on theupper ends of said torsion suspending members, and said pivot extensionsincluding stop means engageable with said bearings for each pivotextension and adapted to limit movement of said pivot extensions intosaid bearings.
 12. The article of furniture according to claim 11further including friction nuts mounted on the terminal ends of saidpivot extensions and disposed inwardly of said bearings within theinterior of said head members.
 13. The article of furniture according toclaim 1 in which the horizontal lower portions of said U-shaped torsionsuspending members are provided with stop means adjacent the oppositeends of said lower portions, and bearings also being provided upon saidlower portions adjacent said stop means, and said supporting unit havingmeans depending therefrom adjacent opposite ends thereof and said meansbeing provided with recesses adapted to receive said bearings mountedupon said lower portions of said torsion members, said stop means beingoperable to prevent any appreciable movement of said supporting unitlongitudinally along said lower portions of said torsion members. 14.The article of furniture according to claim 13 in which said bearingmembers are annular and are provided with recesses adapted to at leastpartially receive said stop means, said bearing members also beingprovided with shoulders adapted to abut portions of the recesses in saiddepending means of said supporting unit and thereby secure said bearingmembers in operative position with respect to said stop means.
 15. Thearticle of furniture according to claim 1 in which said head members areeach provided with a plurality of different levels on the lower endsthereof adjacent the opposite sides of said head members, said differentlevels respectively being provided with means to receive castersselectively and thereby vary the height of said supporting unit above asupporting surface.
 16. An article of furniture comprising a base framehaving vertical end members connected to the ends of a horizontalconnecting member, a supporting unit having a horizontal seat to receiveand support a person, torsion type supporting members pivotallyconnected to said end members and said supporting unit to suspend saidsupporting unit from said end members for transverse horizontal movementrelative to said base frame, means to support said base frame atdifferent adjustable vertical levels relative to a supporting surface,additional supporting means interconnected to said horizontal seat belowthe level thereof and adjacent the forward edge thereof, and a foot restengageable with said support means selectively at a plurality ofdifferent levels according to the level at which said base frame issupported upon a supporting surface and thereby accommodate said articleof furniture to persons of a range of different heights and sizes. 17.The article of furniture according to claim 16 in Which said foot restcomprises a panel extending outwardly from said additional supportingmeans and said additional supporting means having a plurality of slotsat different levels adapted selectively to receive one edge of said footrest panel.
 18. The article of furniture according to claim 16 furtherincluding vertical end members connected to opposite ends of said seatpanel, and a back panel adapted to be positioned generally verticallyand selectively at a plurality of different distances from said forwardedge of said seat panel and at different positions spaced verticallyabove said seat, said greater vertical spacing being in accordance withthe back panel being positioned greater distances from said forward edgeof said seat.
 19. The article of furniture according to claim 18 inwhich said vertical end members on said seat each have a pattern of asimilar plurality of substantially vertical slots respectively disposedat spaced intervals extending inwardly from one side edge of said endmembers and the lower ends of said slots being spaced progressivelygreater distances above said seat in the slots farthest from said oneedge of said seat to accommodate said back panel comfortably to personsof different sizes.
 20. The article of furniture according to claim 18further including a plurality of parallel horizontal slots in saidvertical end members at different levels above said seat panel, and atray panel adjustably positionable in said slots to dispose the sameadjustably above said seat.
 21. An article of furniture of the swingingtype comprising in combination, a base frame comprising a pair of headmembers extending vertically upward from a horizontal connecting memberto maintain the same firmly in spaced parallel relationship, a pair ofsimilar substantially U-shaped suspension members pivotally connected atthe ends of the legs thereof to the upper portions of said head membersadjacent opposite edges thereof and having horizontal terminalextensions thereon, bearings in said head members receiving saidhorizontal terminal extensions and said suspension members dependingfrom said bearings, interengaging latching members on said terminalextensions and bearings operable when said article of furniture is innormal upright operating position to prevent removal of said extensionsfrom said bearings but said latching members being disengageable whensaid article of furniture is moved substantially from said normalupright position, and a body supporting unit mounted upon the lowerhorizontal portions of said suspension members.
 22. The article offurniture according to claim 21 in which at least one of theinterengaging latching members on each extension and bearing comprises aslidable latch element normally manitained in operative position bygravity.
 23. The article of furniture according to claim 21 in whichsaid interengaging latching members comprise notches formed in saidhorizontal extensions on the legs of said suspension members and latchmembers slidable by gravity between unlatched positions for engagementwith walls of said notches.
 24. The article of furniture according toclaim 23 in which the ends of said horizontal terminal extensions havecam surfaces engageable with said latch members when disposing saidextensions within the bearings in said head members and thereby removesaid latch members to unlatched position followed by said latchingmembers moving by gravity to latched position to secure said extensionsoperatively within said bearings.
 25. The article of furniture accordingto claim 22 in which said terminal extensions have cam surfaces thereonoperable to engage said latching members during the positioningmovements of said extensions within said bearings and thereby camminglymove said latching members to unobstructing positions until saidextensions have been operatively received within said bearings,whereupon gravity effects movement of said latching members intooperative latching positions relative tO said extensions.
 26. Thearticle of furniture according to claim 1 in which said horizontal lowerportions of said torsion members adjacent the opposite ends thereof areprovided with bearings adapted to engage means on the lower portions ofsaid supporting unit, positioning means on said lower portions of saidtorsion members engaging said bearings and preventing movement thereoftoward each other, upper bearings carried by the upper portion of saidhead members to receive said ends of said legs of said U-shaped torsionsuspension members, and means on said ends of said legs abutting saidupper bearings and urging the same inwardly relative to said headmembers, whereby the torsion forces in said legs of said torsion membersurge said bearings in said head members in opposite axial directionsrelative to said bearings on said lower portions of said torsionmembers.